Pensioner has cash stolen in phone scam

Janet Hall

Police are warning people to be on their guard after an elderly woman had money stolen from her bank account in a telephone scam.

On Saturday, a woman in Cramlington received a telephone call from a woman claiming to be from a mobile phone company.

The caller told the woman she had won a cash prize and that she needed her details. The victim then had money stolen from her bank account.

Inquiries into the incident are on-going and police are asking residents to be on their guard.

Cramlington Neighbourhood Inspector Pam Bridges said: "We want to make people aware of this telephone scam which a resident in Northumberland has fallen victim to. We want to advise people that if they receive a similar telephone call purporting to be from someone offering them prize money or asking for bank details they should not disclose any personal details and should end the call and report it to the police.

"I would also ask people with older relatives or neighbours to be aware of this scam and to remind them of this advice."

Anyone with concerns or who may have any information to help is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference 1060 16/04/16 or ring the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

For up-to-date advice, contact Action Fraud, the UK's national, Government-led, fraud reporting centre which offers advice, support and prevention advice on fraud including fraud types, trends and current national scams, at www.actionfraud.co.uk